Quality Used Renault Clio 172 CUP For Sale

Press Release

An instant hit with ‘hot hatch’ fans and the motoring press alike when it was launched in April 2000, the Clio Renaultsport 172 will be joined this summer by the latest in a long line of powerful small hatchbacks from Renault. Debuting at the 2002 Geneva Salon, the Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup is a lightweight limited edition of Renault’s storming supermini delivering even more thrills on the road thanks to a number of technical developments.

Lighter than the existing Clio Renaultsport 172 by 80kg, the limited edition Cup version has been developed in order to satisfy customers looking for performance and driving enjoyment, and for amateur rally drivers competing in the Group N (standard production) category.

The external appearance reflects the sporting character of this special edition. Offered in one exclusive colour - ‘Mondial Blue’ - it is equipped with a special rear spoiler above the hatch, and a front bumper with a flexible lower section. 16-inch Speedline ‘Turini’ alloy wheels, of a design similar to competition cars, complete the sporting picture.

Inside special black cloth ‘Mossa’ upholstery material ensures excellent comfort and grip during sporting driving, while creating a more sporting appearance. Reminders of the exterior body colour, in satin-finish, appear on the centre console surround, the insert at the foot of the steering wheel, on the gear lever knob and the instrument bezels.

The Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup benefits from suspension developments aimed at maximising the car’s dynamic performance and the driver’s enjoyment. The front castor angle is increased in order to make the steering even more informative and to retain optimum stability in both a straight line and when cornering.

Thanks to the offset of the new wheel rims, the front track is 20mm wider, and the rear track 10mm wider. This additional width increases the maximum potential cornering ability.

The overall ride height is reduced by 3mm thanks to new springs front and rear. With higher spring rates at the front, the suspension is firmer and more responsive to the benefit of the car’s overall performance. These modifications are complemented by the adoption of new tyres for the 16-inch alloy wheels.

Steering response is also more direct and informative, with an increased front castor angle for optimum stability. Also the flexible lower section of the front bumper and the larger rear hatch-mounted spoiler provide greater downforce and aerodynamic refinement.

In addition to the work carried out on the suspension and the aerodynamics, the car has been lightened by 80kg. This weight reduction reflects the spirit of this special edition and has been achieved notably by the replacement of the spare wheel by two anti-puncture inflators and the removal of some equipment including air conditioning, ABS anti-lock braking system, side airbags and xenon headlamps. The sound deadening treatment has also been adapted.

Apart from the saving in weight, the ABS has also been removed because it is not suited to competition use. The braking system has been redesigned to adapt to extreme conditions of use. The braking power is retained but the degree of assistance has been reduced to make it easier to apply progressive braking while driving to the limit.

The 2.0 16V (F4R) engine delivering 172bhp at 6,250rpm and 200Nm at 5,400rpm, and the gearbox, are carried over. Thanks to the reduced weight, acceleration is improved with a time of 14.8sec to 400m from a standing start, and 27.2sec to 1,000m, compared with 15.1 and 27.7sec respectively for the standard version, helping this lower, firmer, lighter Clio to enter the exclusive group of sporting models capable of reaching 60mph in 6.8 seconds.

Return to Renaultsport Used Cars For Sale